Cartridge type server unit and a cabinet to accommodate multiple said server units

ABSTRACT

An object of the invention is to provide a server unit, which is so structured as to enable efficient cooling and which can be installed in great numbers in a server unit cabinet, and which comprises a cartridge type server unit  3  comprising (a) a printed circuit board  31  for a server unit, which is equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) and main memory and which serves as a computer with the supply of external electric power at constant voltage, (b) a heat sink  33  supported by the printed circuit board  31  for the server unit, and (c) a front panel  35  which supports the printed circuit board  31  for the server unit; wherein the front panel  35  supports the printed circuit board  31  so that a flat surface of the printed circuit board  31  is positioned vertically when the server unit  3  is accommodated, wherein a part of a heat sink  33  makes contact with highly heat-generating components mounted on the printed circuit board  31  via heat conduction means, and wherein a heat pipe  331  is provided to transmit heat from said contacting part to another part of the heat sink.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge type server unitcomprising (a) a printed circuit board for a server unit, mounted with aCPU and memory which operate with external constant voltage, (b) a frontpanel which supports the printed circuit board for the server unit, and(c) connectors provided on the printed circuit board for the serverunit, and eliminating the need of additional wiring. The invention alsorelates to a server unit cabinet which accommodates multiple pieces ofsaid server unit therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] With rapid development of the Internet, burdens on Internetservers have become so large that servers might hang up. To cope with anincreased load on servers, one option is to increase the capacity of aserver itself. However, such a capacity increase has a limit, andmultiple server units are installed to disperse the increased load.

[0003] If multiple server units are grouped so as to function as asingle server, each server unit is not required to be a high-performanceworkstation, but a so-called PC server can well do for the purpose. Inthis case, several hundred PC servers must be installed on one site.When a user accesses this site, he/she will be led to one of theinstalled PC servers. An increase in the load can be coped with byincreasing PC servers.

[0004] To install several hundred server units, a considerably largespace is required. If it is taken into account that a power source, acooling method, and safety control be provided, the cost for theinstallation space will further increase. In addition, it is predictedthat several server units will be added every month. The maintenancework including accurate wiring and replacement of server units whichhave failed will become a very serious problem.

[0005] Normally, on a site where a larger number of server units areinstalled, multiple server units are accommodated in a server unit rackwhich extends vertically, so that the space can be effectively utilizedin that direction. For example, a server unit rack called a 19″ rack hasa width of 19 inches (482.6 mm) and a height equivalent to 42 units(1871.1 mm: 1 U=44.45 mm). If typical tower type server units are used,a single rack allows only 4 to 6 units to be installed.

[0006] In order to solve this problem with the space for installingserver units, a server unit with a thickness of 1 U has been developed.42 units of said server have been stacked without clearance in a singlerack. In this method, however, since a CPU and an HDD must beincorporated in a space of 1 U in thickness, it is difficult to handleheating from these components. As a result, the thickness of a serverunit has been changed from 1 U back to 2 U, and clearance forventilation has been provided for each server unit. Therefore, thenumber of server units which can practically be installed has decreasedto approximately a half.

[0007] When a larger number of server units are to be accommodated in aserver unit cabinet, it is necessary to supply each server unit withelectric power and to connect wiring for signal input/output. Theseconnections are made on the rear of the server unit cabinet. To ensureaccuracy, therefore, great care must be taken and troublesome work isrequired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a server unit which isdesigned to allow a larger number of server units to be accommodated ina server unit cabinet and to be efficiently cooled therein.

[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a server unitcabinet which can be installed in a server unit rack and which allowsmultiple server units to be accommodated therein.

[0010] An even further object of the invention contemplates theprovision of structures of the server unit and server unit cabinet whichallow for easily and efficiently making a connection between the serverunit and any external device and for quite easily making a connectionfor power supply.

[0011] In order to solve said problem, this invention comprises (a) aprinted circuit board for a server unit, which is equipped with acentral processing unit (CPU) and main memory and which serves as acomputer with the supply of external electric power, (b) a heat sinksupported by the printed circuit board for the server unit, and (c) afront panel which supports the printed circuit board for the serverunit. The structure of said server unit is such that the front panelsupports the printed circuit board for the server unit so as tovertically position a flat surface of the printed circuit board for theserver unit when accommodating the server unit, that a part of the heatsink makes contact with highly heat-generating components mounted on theprinted circuit board for the server unit via heat conduction means, andthat heat conduction means are provided to transmit heat from saidcontacting part to another part of the heat sink.

[0012] According to the invention, the cartridge type server unit issuch that a connector having a signal input/output terminal and a powerinlet terminal is provided on one side opposite to the side supported bythe front panel of the printed circuit board for the server unit.

[0013] According to the invention, the cartridge type server unit issuch that an extension connector to which an extension board isconnected is provided on one surface of the printed circuit board forthe server unit.

[0014] According to the invention, the cartridge type server unit issuch that a heat pipe is used to form the heat transmission means to beprovided for the heat sink.

[0015] According to the invention, the cartridge type server unit issuch that an input/output connector for maintenance use is provided onthe front panel and that air vents for cooling are provided on the lowerpart of the front panel.

[0016] In order to further solve the problem, the invention provides aserver unit cabinet for accommodating multiple pieces of said cartridgetype server unit and at least one constant-voltage power source thereinwith a server unit space for accommodating multiple server units, apower source space for mounting at least one constant-voltage powersource, a signal transmission means space for accommodating signaltransmission means, and a cooling space for accommodating cooling means.The invention further provides the server unit cabinet with a serverunit connector having a signal input/output terminal and aconstant-voltage outlet terminal, and with a power connector having asignal input/output point, an external power inlet terminal, and aconstant-voltage power inlet terminal. The invention even furtherprovides the server unit cabinet with (a) a wiring circuit board whichincludes wiring between the constant-voltage inlet terminal of the powerconnector and the constant-voltage outlet terminal of the server unitconnector, and wiring between the signal input/output terminal of theserver unit connector and the signal input/output point, (b) an externalsignal input/output connector provided on the front of the server unitcabinet, and (c) signal transmission means which connects between saidexternal signal input/output connector and the signal input/output pointof said wiring circuit board.

[0017] According to the invention the server unit cabinet is such thatthe input/output point provided on the wiring circuit board isstructured as a relay connector, and that the signal transmission meansare a cable having a connector which is connected to said relayconnector.

[0018] According to the invention, the server unit cabinet is such thatthe signal transmission means connecting between the input/output pointprovided on the wiring circuit board and the external signalinput/output connector are wiring.

[0019] According to the invention, the server unit cabinet is such thatcooling fans are used as the cooling means.

[0020] According to the invention, the server unit cabinet is such thatmeans for guiding a server unit so that a connector provided on theserver unit connects to the server unit connector on the wiring circuitboard, are provided in the server unit space.

[0021] According to the invention, the server unit cabinet is such thatmeans for guiding a constant-voltage power source so that a connectorprovided on the constant-voltage power source connects to the powerconnector on the wiring circuit board, are provided in the power sourcespace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration showing the appearance of theserver unit according to the invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional illustration showing the crosssection as viewed along the line A-A in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration showing the appearance of thecabinet for accommodating server units according to this invention;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional illustration showing the crosssection as viewed along the line B-B;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration diagrammatically showing theconfiguration of the cabinet for accommodating server units, which isillustrated in FIG. 3; and

[0027]FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional illustration showing the state inwhich cabinets for accommodating server units are installed in a serverunit rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The configuration of the cartridge type server unit and theserver unit cabinet to accommodate cartridge type server units,according to this invention, is described referring to FIGS. 1 through5.

[0029] According to the invention, the cartridge type server unitcomprises (a) a printed circuit board for a server unit, on which a CPU(central processing unit) and main memory are mounted, (b) a mainconnector that centrally provides a power port for constant-voltageinlet mounted on the printed circuit board for the server unit, two LANports for signal input/output, and a serial port, (c) a heat sink whichpartially contacts with highly heat-generating elements mounted on theprinted circuit board for the server unit, and (d) a front panel whichsupports the printed circuit board for the server unit so that a wiringsurface thereof is positioned vertically.

[0030]FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration showing appearance of thecartridge type server unit according to the invention. FIG. 2 is avertical sectional view as taken along the line A-A. FIG. 3 is aperspective illustration schematically showing a state in whichcartridge type server units are accommodated in the server unit cabinet.FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the line B-Baccording to FIG. 3 illustrating the state in which said cartridge typeserver units are accommodated in the server unit cabinet. FIG. 5 is aperspective view conceptually illustrating the structure of the serverunit cabinet. In FIGS. 3 through 5, the frame structuring the serverunit cabinet is indicated in solid lines without any dimension.

[0031] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cartridge type serve unit 3according to the invention comprises a front panel 35, a printed circuitboard 31 (mother board) for a server unit, one side of which is attachedto a rear of the front panel 35, a heat sink 33 which is assembled nextto the printed circuit board 31 for the server unit, and a mainconnector 37 which is provided on one side opposite to the printedcircuit board 31 for the server unit and the front panel 35 and whichhas a data input/output terminal and a power inlet terminal.

[0032] The front panel 35 has a height of 4 units (U) and a width of25.4 mm (1 inch). The surface thereof is provided with an input/outputconnector 315 for maintenance use, air vents 353 for cooling, and a grip355. The bottom thereof is provided with a support for the printedcircuit board 35 for the server unit, which is not illustrated, andmeans for retaining the front panel 35 when the server unit 3 isaccommodated in a server unit cabinet 1.

[0033] The printed circuit board 31 for the server unit is sized, e.g.,as 160×233.35 mm, and equipped with a CPU 311 and memory so that it canprovide functions to perform the necessary processing as the server unit3. However, the printed circuit board 31 for the server unit does notincorporate a constant-voltage power source or the like which can beshared by multiple server units 3. The printed circuit board 31 for theserver unit provides a main connector 37 having a signal input/outputterminal and a power inlet terminal on one side thereof, opposite to thefront panel 35. The printed circuit board 31 for the server unit alsoprovides on the surface thereof, an extension connector 39 forconnecting an extension board (daughter board) 5 which will be installedadjacent thereto.

[0034] A heat sink 33 which is supported by a support 31 at a givenclearance from the printed circuit board 31 for the server unit, isformed of aluminum or a similar material with high thermal conductivityand has almost the same size as that of the printed circuit board 31 forthe server unit. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2, the heat sink33 is installed so that it makes contact with highly heat-generatingmembers mounted on the printed circuit board 31 for the server unit,such as the CPU 311 and memory chip, via a heat-conductive sheet 313 orthe like. To radiate heat from a heat-generating area by the entire heatsink 33, a heat pipe 331 is provided so that it runs from theheat-generating area to a lower-temperature area. Thus, heat isdistributed across the heat sink 33.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a server unit cabinet 1 accommodatesmultiple said server units 3 and multiple power sources such asconstant-voltage power sources. A front panel located on the front lowerpart of the server unit cabinet 1 is provided with, e.g., three externalsignal input/output connectors 29 for each server unit. For example, 10server unit cabinets 3 are stacked in a server unit rack.

[0036] Multiple cartridge type server units 3 are accommodated in theserver unit cabinet 1, and one power source 7 is also accommodated foreach group consisting of several server units 3 therein. To thecartridge type server unit 3 accommodated in the server unit cabinet 1,an extension board (daughter board) 5 which extends the functions of thecartridge type server unit 3 may be connected.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the server unit cabinet 1 isconfigured so as to provide a server unit space 11, a power source space13, a signal transmission means space 15, a cooling space 17, a wiringcircuit board 19, and an external signal input/output connector 29.

[0038] The server unit space 11 is used to accommodate multiple serverunits 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a guide rail 12 which guides andsupports the server unit 3 so that a main connector provided on theserver unit 3 is connected to a server unit connector 23 on the wiringcircuit board 19, is provided in the server unit space The power sourcespace 13 is used to install the constant-voltage power source 7 whichconverts the electric energy received from a commercial power source ora similar external power source into server drive voltage and whichmakes said voltage constant and then outputs it to the server unit 3.Said power source space 13 is laid out next to the server space 11. Inaddition, guiding means which, though not illustrated, guides theconstant-voltage power source 7 so that a connector provided on theconstant-voltage power source 7 is connected to a power connector 25provided on the wiring circuit board, are provided in the power sourcespace 13.

[0039] Various kinds of units other than the constant-voltage powersource 7, which are common to multiple server units 3, may be installedin the power source space 13.

[0040] The signal transmission means space 15 is used to accommodatewiring and other connection means such as a connection cord with aconnector. Said signal transmission means space 15 is provided below theserver unit space 11 and the power source space 13.

[0041] The cooling space 17 is used to have cooling fans 171 and 172provided on the rear of the server unit cabinet 1, so that air iscarried out of the server unit space 11 and the power source space 13.The cooling space 17 is laid out behind the server unit space 11 and thepower source space 13. One cooling fan 171 is installed for multipleserver units 3, and one cooling fan 172 for one power source.

[0042] A wiring circuit board 19 is located behind the server unit space11, the power source space 13, and the signal transmission means space15. A wiring circuit board 29 is, for example, formed as a printedcircuit board and has (a) server connectors 23, the number of whichcorresponds to the number of server units 3 to be accommodated in theserver unit cabinet 1, and which are located in positions correspondingto the server unit space 11, (b) power connectors 25, the number ofwhich corresponds to the number of power sources 7 located in positioncorresponding to the power source space 13, and signal input/outputpoints 27 located in positions corresponding to the signal transmissionmeans space 13.

[0043] A server connector has a signal input/output terminal which isused to input signals to and output signals from signals a server unit3, and a power outlet terminal which is used to supply the server unitwith constant voltage. The server connector is oriented toward theserver unit space 11.

[0044] A power connector 25 consists of an external power outletterminal which is used to supply electric power from an external powersource to the constant-voltage power source 7 connected to said externalpower source, and a constant-voltage terminal which is used to supplyconstant-voltage power from the constant-voltage power source to thepower inlet terminal of the server unit connector 23. Said power connect25 is oriented toward the power source space 13.

[0045] A signal input/output point 27 is used to send signals from theserver unit 3 to the external signal input/output connector 29 andformed as a relay connector or a connection terminal.

[0046] The power outlet terminal of the server connector 23 and theconstant-voltage terminal of the power connector 25 are connected bywiring on the wiring circuit board 19. The signal input/output terminaland signal input/output point of the server connector 23 are connectedby wiring on the wiring circuit board 19.

[0047] The external signal input/output connectors 29 are provided, inthe numbers corresponding to the number of server units 3 to beaccommodated in the server unit cabinet 1, on the front panel 21 of theserver unit cabinet 1. Said external signal input/output connectors 29are connected to signal input/output points on the wiring circuit boardvia connection means. For said connection means, e.g., serial signalconnectors such as RS-232C connectors, and LAN connectors are used.

[0048] The input/output points 27 and external signal input/outputconnectors 29 on the wiring circuit board are connected using theconnection means 28 such as wiring or cords having a connector.

[0049] To accommodate the server unit 3 in the server unit cabinet 1which has said configuration, the printed circuit board 31 for theserver unit 3 is guided into an inner side by the guide rail 12. Then,the main connector 37 completes the connection between the server unit 3inserted into the server connector 23 and the external signalinput/output connector 29, thus enabling signal input to and output fromthe external signal input/output connector 29 provided on the front.

[0050] Similarly, to mount the power source 7 in the server unit cabinet1, the constant-voltage power source 7 is guided via guiding means andthen a connector provided thereon is connected to the power connector 25provided on the wiring circuit board 19. Thus, the connections betweenthe external power source, the constant-voltage power source 7, and eachserver unit 3 are completed very easily.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 6, this paragraph describes how each serverunit cabinet accommodating multiple server units 3 is cooled when theserver unit cabinet is installed in the server unit rack. FIG. 6 is avertical sectional view schematically illustrating a state whereinmultiple server units 1 are stacked in the server unit rack. Asillustrated in this figure, the server unit space 11 in the server unitcabinet 1 is a closed space except for the front and rear thereof.Therefore, when the server unit cooling fan 171 located in the coolingfan space 17 is operated, air flows, along the heat sink 33, from theair vents 353 provided on the lower part of the front panel 35 of theserver unit 3 to the server unit cooling fan 171. Since the heat sink 33is provided with a heat pipe which transmits heat from theheat-generating part on the printed circuit board 31 to another part,the heat can be taken out efficiently.

[0052] As described above, according to this invention, the server unit3 is formed on the printed circuit board 31 which has a CPU and memorywithout a power source, and designed as a cartridge type having the mainconnector 37 on the rear thereof. The server unit cabinet 1 is providedwith the server connector 23 which is connected to the external signalinput/output connector 29 located on the front of the server unitcabinet 1. Therefore, merely inserting the cartridge type server unit 3into the server unit cabinet completes the wiring. This allows forgreatly simplifying the wiring for adding any server unit and preventsany connection error.

[0053] The invention eliminates the power source from the server unit 3,allowing for downsizing the section having the server function. Inaddition, the printed circuit board 31 incorporating the server functionis positioned vertically and the heat sink is provided to enableefficient cooling. Thus, multiple server units can be installed in asingle server unit rack so that the space for installing the serverunits can be greatly saved.

We claim:
 1. A cartridge type server unit comprising (a) a printedcircuit board for a server unit, which is equipped with a centralprocessing unit (CPU) and main memory and which serves as a computerwith the supply of external electric power at constant voltage, (b) aheat sink supported by the printed circuit board for the server unit,and (c) a front panel which supports the printed circuit board for theserver unit; and characterized in that the front panel supports theprinted circuit board for the server unit so that a flat surface of theprinted circuit board for the server unit is positioned vertically whenthe server unit is installed, that a part of the heat sink makes contactwith highly heat-generating components mounted on the printed circuitboard for the server unit via heat conduction means, and that heatconduction means are provided to transmit heat from said contacting partto another part of the heat sink.
 2. A cartridge type server unitaccording to claim 1, characterized in that a connector having a signalinput/output terminal and a power inlet terminal is provided on one sideopposite to the side supported by the front panel of the printed circuitboard for the server unit.
 3. A cartridge type server unit according toclaim 2, characterized in that an extension connector to which anextension board is connected is provided on one surface of the printedcircuit board for the server unit.
 4. A cartridge type server unitaccording to claim 1, which uses a heat pipe for the heat transmissionmeans.
 5. A cartridge type server unit according to claim 4,characterized in that an input/output connector for maintenance use isprovided on the front panel and that air vents for cooling are providedon the lower part of the front panel.
 6. A server unit cabinet foraccommodating multiple cartridge type server units and aconstant-voltage power source therein, which is characterized in thatthe server unit cabinet provides a server unit space for accommodatingmultiple server units, a power source space for mounting at least oneconstant-voltage power source, a signal transmission space foraccommodating signal transmission means, and a cooling space foraccommodating cooling means; that the serer unit cabinet is equippedwith a server unit connector having a signal input/output terminal and aconstant-voltage outlet terminal, and with a power connector having asignal input/output point, an external power inlet terminal, and aconstant-voltage power inlet terminal; and that the server unit cabinetprovides (a) a wiring circuit board which includes wiring between theconstant-voltage inlet terminal of the power connector and theconstant-voltage outlet terminal of the server unit connector, andwiring between the signal input/output terminal of the server unitconnector and the signal input/output point, (b) an external signalinput/output connector provided on the front of the server unit cabinet,and (c) signal transmission means which connects between said externalsignal input/output connector and the signal input/output point of saidwiring circuit board.
 7. A server unit cabinet according to claim 6,wherein the input/output point provided on the wiring circuit board isstructured as a relay connector, and wherein the signal transmissionmeans are a cable having a connector which is connected to said relayconnector.
 8. A server cabinet according to claim 6, wherein the signaltransmission means connecting between the input/output point provided onthe wiring circuit board and the external signal input/output connectorare wiring.
 9. A server unit cabinet according to claim 6, wherein thecooling means are cooling fans.
 10. A server unit cabinet according toclaim 6, wherein means for guiding a server unit so that a connectorprovided on the server unit connects to the server unit connector on thewiring circuit board, are provided in the server unit space.
 11. Aserver unit cabinet according to claim 6, wherein means for guiding aconstant-voltage power source so that a connector provided on theconstant-voltage power source connects to the power connector on thewiring circuit board, are provided in the power source space.